New Bedford City Council Meeting – May 28, 2026

The New Bedford City Council met on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 7:04 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was led in prayer by Reverend Christopher Peschel and included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councillor at Large Brian Gomes. The council approved multiple utility easements, transfers of funds, reappointments, and ordinances, and debated the city's $32 million deficit, including motions for a forensic audit and a state supplemental budget. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Hearing Items 1–3 (Eversource Conduit Installations): Three public hearings for installation of conduit (15 feet on Hawthorne Street, 15 feet and a handhole on Blackmore Street, 14 feet on Brock Avenue) were opened and closed. All were approved with motions to adopt the orders. The council requested police details for Hawthorne Street and County Street work.
• Hearing Item 4 (Served Well National Club LLC – Umbrella Footings): Approved for two underground umbrella footings at 24 Union Street for seasonal outdoor sidewalk seating. The footings will be embedded in the sidewalk and removable.
• Mayor’s Papers M1 (Appraisals for Pleasant Street Improvements): Adopted an order to obtain appraisals for land at 930 Pleasant Street for intersection improvements, utility upgrades, and ADA compliance.
• Mayor’s Papers M2–M3 (Unit C Step Increases Suspension): Passed to second reading an ordinance to suspend step increases for Unit C management positions for FY2027.
• Mayor’s Papers M6–M23A (Transfer Orders): Adopted a series of transfers totaling $572,850 from Public Infrastructure Personal Services to various departments and other adjustments (e.g., EMS, Water, Wastewater, Cable Access, etc.).
• Mayor’s Papers M24–M46A (Revolving Funds): Adopted the estimated FY2027 revolving fund amounts for 23 funds (e.g., Council Special Permit $5,000, EMT Training Academy $15,000, Fort Tabor $180,000, etc.).
• Mayor’s Papers M47 (FY26 Action Plan): Received and adopted the FY26 Office of Housing and Community Development Action Plan and resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for federal assistance.
• Mayor’s Papers M48–M55, M57 (Reappointments): Approved reappointments to the Airport Commission (Brad Markey, Matthew Preventure, Ramon Silva), Commission for Citizens with Disabilities (Martha Reid, Marcia Fernandes, Angela Clark, Kimberly Betancourt), Community Preservation Committee (Christopher Amaral), and Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District (Daniel Patton). Vote 9-0.
• New Business Item 5 (Private Livery License): Approved a new private livery license for Gorana's Transportation Incorporated at 627 Allen Street.
• New Business Items 6–7 (Waiver of Residency for Pawnbroker): Approved waivers of residency for Fall River Pawnbrokers at two locations (1351 Acushnet Avenue and 268 Union Street). Vote 9-0.
• New Business Item 8 (Ordinance – Municipal Facility Conversion): Passed to second reading an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 4-4100A.
• New Business Item 9 (Ordinance – Electronic Tax Bills): Passed to second reading an ordinance to allow voluntary electronic delivery of real estate and personal property tax bills.
• New Business Item 10 (Ordinance – Parental Paid Leave): Passed to second reading a motion to explore an ordinance establishing parental paid leave for city employees.
• New Business Item 12 (Veterans Advisory Board Appointment): Approved the appointment of Christobald Jose Escobar to the Veterans Advisory Board, replacing Christopher Holtkamp.
• New Business Items 13–15 (No Further Action): Items out of committee were waived and taken with no further action.
• New Business Item 16 (Budget Interview Sessions): Waived Rule 27 to hold budget interview sessions on June 1 and June 3, 2026. Vote 9-0.
• New Business Item 21 (Street Cleaning for Parade): Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure a request to sweep and clean streets and fill potholes prior to the Cape Verdean Recognition Day parade on July 5, 2026.
• New Business Item 22 (Ordinance – Personnel): Passed to second reading an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Section 19-7 of the City Code.
• New Business Item 24 (Demolition Permit): Granted a demolition permit for 24 Carter Street, a fire-damaged structure deemed not historically significant.
• New Business Item 26 (DEP Dredging Notice): Received and filed a public notice from the Department of Environmental Protection for a salt marsh dredging project off Belleville Avenue.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jessica Elder (Eversource Energy): Presented on behalf of Eversource for three conduit installation petitions, providing details on scope, duration, and restoration.
• John Markey Jr. (Attorney for Served Well National Club LLC): Presented the request for umbrella footings at 24 Union Street, explaining the plan for seasonal outdoor seating and coordination with DPI.
• No public comments were made from the audience during the public hearing portions.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Paper M4 (Assistant Superintendent of Green Space): Councillor Burgo expressed concern about the creation of a new M11 position ($77,000) while the city is eliminating 94 positions. He noted that the position was not in previous budgets and requested referral to the Committee on Ordinances for further discussion. The item was referred.
• Mayor’s Paper M5 (Transfer of $43,000): Referred to the Committee on Finance without discussion.
• Mayor’s Paper M56 (Reappointment to Licensing Board): Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• Mayor’s Papers M58–M60 (New Appointments): Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• New Business Item 11 (Recall of Elected Officers): Councillor Burgo moved to table the report and amended order/act. The motion to table passed 7-2 (Councillors Carney and Roy voting no).
• New Business Item 17 (Waste Collection Violations): Councillor Lopes introduced a motion to have Republic Waste Services, E.L. Harvey, and Waste Management attend a committee meeting to discuss early morning violations (before 7 a.m.). He reported multiple fines and continued non-compliance. Councillors added their names to the motion. The motion was referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
• New Business Item 18 (Forensic Audit by Inspector General): Councillor Gomes moved to send a certified letter to the Inspector General requesting a forensic audit of the city's financial situation, citing the sudden shift from a $13 million surplus to a $32 million deficit. He criticized the administration's lack of transparency. Councillors supported the motion, emphasizing the need for independent investigation. The motion passed 9-0.
• New Business Item 19 (Supplemental Budget from State): Councillor Gomes moved to send certified letters to Governor Healey, Senator Montigny, and state representatives requesting a one-time supplemental budget to close the $32 million deficit, prevent closure of Fire Station 9, and avoid layoffs. Councillors spoke passionately about the impact on public safety and taxpayers, referencing a consultant's report that warned of increased fire insurance premiums if Engine 9 is eliminated. The motion passed 9-0.
• New Business Item 20 (Early Retirement Incentive Program): Councillor Lopes and Council President Pereira moved to draft a home rule petition for an early retirement incentive program for eligible municipal employees (age 55+ with 25 years of service, up to 75% of benefit). Councillor Lopes argued it would save money by replacing high-salary employees with new hires at lower steps. The motion was referred to the Committee on Ordinances, with a request for the city solicitor to notify the committee within 10 days if the administration supports it.
• New Business Item 23 (Fee Increases): Referred to the Committee on Ordinances a request from the City Clerk to increase fees for vital record amendments, junk collector dealer licenses, and business certificates.
• New Business Item 25 (Livery License): Referred to the Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: All three Eversource conduit hearings (items 1-3), umbrella footings (item 4), multiple transfer orders (M6-M23A), revolving funds (M24-M46A), FY26 action plan (M47), reappointments (M48-M55, M57), private livery license (item 5), waiver of residency (items 6-7), demolition permit (item 24).
• Passed to Second Reading: Ordinances on municipal facility conversion (item 8), electronic tax bills (item 9), parental paid leave (item 10), and personnel (item 22).
• Referred to Committees: M4 (Ordinances), M5 (Finance), M56, M58-M60 (Appointments and Briefings), items 17, 18, 19 (adopted directly), item 20 (Ordinances), item 23 (Ordinances), item 25 (Special Permits).
• Tabled: Item 11 (Recall of Elected Officers) by a vote of 7-2.
• Adopted Motions: Item 16 (budget sessions) 9-0, item 18 (forensic audit) 9-0, item 19 (supplemental budget request) 9-0.
• Next Steps: The council will hold budget interview sessions on June 1 and June 3, 2026. The city solicitor will report on the administration's willingness to pursue an early retirement incentive program. The Inspector General will be contacted for a forensic audit. State officials will receive letters requesting supplemental funding.